The shorthanded Vernon Square Liquor Store Celtics fell 3-1 to Lake Country Variform in North Okanagan Oldtimers 35+ Men’s Soccer League play Monday night at Marshall Field #1.
Before the game, Celtic’s interim coach Kay Tolpinreed had to make major adjustments to the starting lineup as none of his regular midfielders where available. However, the Celtics started well, controlling the tempo and creating a few early chances.
It was Celtic’s Bryan Schenker who broke the deadlock midway through the first half after he converted on a nice solo run.
The lead did not last long as Lake Country, now 8-1-2, responded five minutes later with a long-range equalizer. Just before half time the visitors took the lead for good after miscommunication in the Celtics defence.
With fatigue settling in, the Celtics (4-5-1) lacked the finesse to threaten the Lake Country goalie in the second half. The Celtics’ Chris Bader had a strong game in net after a year of absence.
Vernon Toyota had to forfeit the game against Penticton Pinnacles FC in Rutland due to a lack of players.
Toyota dipped to 5-5, while Penticton is 8-1-2.
Ross Jewell, assisted by Glenn Wilson, supplied the lone goal as Bosman Accounting fell 5-1 to Sirius FC at Marshall #3.
The accountants are 2-8, Sirius is 7-3-1.
In Oldtimers 45+ league action, Gord Howard scored twice as the Hi-Pro Sportswear stuffed Penticton United 4-0 at Dale Meadows Park in Summerland.
Striker Al Murphy opened the 9-1-2 Humpbacks’ offence in the 10th minute, converting a shot from the left side after feeds by Dave Marshall and Rob Hulstein. Winger Brad Hansen, who came out of a month-long retirement, made it 2-0 five minutes later when he went top shelf from the right side after dishes by Murphy and Mike Daly.
Winger Kevin Mitchell, brought up from Masters, was stoned by a diving United keeper on a 15-yard corker minutes later.
The Camels went up 3-0 just two minutes into the second half when Howard converted a low shot after passes down the right side by Murphy – the Turtle Bay Pub Man of the Match – and Terry Lowe. Howard showed great agility by extending his right leg and burying a shot from in tight after a free kick by Ron Krause.
Camel keeper Dave Dutcher recorded the shutout. Penticton fell to 8-3-1.
In other 45+ league action, Okanagan Spring Brewery bowed 7-1 to North Country Monday at Rutland #2.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime, and with no subs, the brewers, now 4-7-1, ran out of steam. Roger Irving set up Tom Ouchi for the Spring goal midway through the second half.
North Country (9-1-4) got goals from Matt Cherrille (2), Mike Francis, Greg Bevandick, Randy Bohem, Will Kruiper and Chris Odermatt. Goaltender Mike Zuber stopped a penalty shot.
Big O Tire thought they had enough spares for a full game, but a pair of first-half injuries reduced their numbers as they fell 2-0 to Pushor Mitchell Advocates at Rutland #4.
With Big O tiring, the 5-4-2 Pushor crew capitalized with a late strike in the first half.
They made it 2-0 in the second half, getting a ball by keeper Paul Hunter, who was blinded by the sun.
Big O, now 3-9, played a solid passing game but couldn’t click in the goal department.
The Silver Stars showed second-half perseverance in a 3-0 win over the host Cantina’s at Mission Fields in Kelowna.
The Stars dominated play and kept the ball in the Cantina’s end for the whole first half, but their keeper managed to deny the Stars’ forwards and midfielders, who created some glorious chances.
“Cantina’s deserve full marks for this result as they played the game with only eight players and held the Stars to the outside for most of the game,” said the Stars’ Rob Bauml.
Early in the second half, Kevin Cowley, burying his 12th of the season, spun off a defender and blazed a low shot off the far post to open the scoring.
Steve Church took a through ball past a defender and struck a low shot to the other side 10 minutes later. He completed the scoring on an open-net header from five yards out, improving Silver Stars to 6-2-4. Cantina’s are 1-10-1.
